Naah. . Don't do it. Think of your heart. with all that excitement. And whatever you do don't sell your house for a RTW trip. Far better to let the government take it off you to pay for your care home fees. And when the dementia sets in you will have forgotten what you missed anyway.
Best wishes. Gary

I'm 60 in a few weeks and ride quite a lot. However, I've ridden motorbikes for most of my life. I'd say if you are a decent rider on a push bike, and drive regularly, you have 65% of the skills needed.
Pass your bike test. Do 6000 to 10000 miles on a bike to develop your skills and go for it.
I only took up green lane riding 2 1/2 years ago and love it, even if I did fall off a lot at first.
Have fun.

You haven't mentioned your level of fitness and agility. Can you still get your leg over? (literally) Adventure bikes tend to be rather tall. You can, of course haave a great time on a 'step-through' or a scoot.

The Spanish Biker wrote:Sounds like you have more of an idea than most of the rest if us when we started with motorbikes - I thought it would make me attractive to women! (thumbs)

Regs

Simon

Well bikes must have made me more attractive to women because my quota certainly increased after I passed my bike test and got a bigger bike (thumbs)

Well mine is at Mikeys unit so even I don't get to ride it but why would she bother when she's got a 916 of her own?

Yes, but I went out and bought a Ducati single didn't I - bet Mrs AndyB doesn't go out for a ride on yours eh? :whistle:

Simon

I appear to have made a mess of that but my reply is above Simons.

So, she like 'em big then ...

Regs

No, she likes to try to intimidate blokes on motorbikes who think she's a stupid girlie when she's out on her own.

That's exactly the kind of thing Mrs S liked to do to when her LGV license was still separate from her normal one and used that for ID to patronising gits in garages, etc. (thumbs)

Meanwhile, before we hijack the OP any more ... :whistle:

You'll get loads of contradictory advice, especially from the Industry, which could end up with you spending lots of dosh on gear - and bike(s) - that you don't need.

Obviously the first thing to do is get riding and see if you actually like it - no shame if at that stage you think, "Not for me!", especially after you've had a few frights with four wheeled (of more) vehicles and being caught out in the rain,etc.

You could also use that time to have a few 'adventures' on your 125cc - plenty here that do just that, including me on my Beta Alp 200 cc. From where you live you could have a fine time riding up and down Offa's Dyke, the South Shropshire hills, West Wales - Hmm, maybe I feel a UK tour coming on (thumbs) - all beautiful country, quiet roads, lovely B&B's, country pubs and camp sites.

Then there's a sort of a decision tree:

Does your definition of 'adventure' mean riding off road? There's a lot here think it does but you can ride from your front door to Timbuktu and never leave the black stuff - and who could claim that's not an 'adventure' !

If not then an ordinary road bike is going to be a) cheaper, b) more choice, no lengthy debates about tyres, etc. etc.

Then does your idea of 'adventure' mean camping or do you draw the line at hostels, B&B's etc. - as plenty do here and are not ashamed to admit it!

Once again, this will have big repercussions on the luggage you have to consider and this again reflects on your bike choice. You'll find the hard vs soft luggage an endless theme but of you'e into staying in accommodation then quickly detachable panniers, even smart ones that pass off as 'real' luggage are a better, if possibly more expensive, choice.

Once again taking Morocco: every one I've known who's gone to Morocco thinking they would camp haven't bothered as a) accommodation is so cheap and b) the campings, such as they are, are, shall we say, different. Bearing in mind too that Morocco is best form October to April at the you'd also have to use accommodation crossing Spain as almost all campings are closed then - it's also too chuffing cold, don't ask me why I know this! :whistle:

So, if you give us all a few answers to these two questions for starters you could find yourself the originator of a cracking topic ... meanwhile, get out there, get wet, dirty, oily, knocked over - not! - and find yourself a fetish object for dominant, defiant and possibly dangerous women! (thumbs) (thumbs) (thumbs)

Regs

Simon

Be sure to visit www.thespanishbiker.com the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain - plus guided rides, HISS Events* and off road touring support service

garyboy wrote:Naah. . Don't do it. Think of your heart. with all that excitement. And whatever you do don't sell your house for a RTW trip. Far better to let the government take it off you to pay for your care home fees. And when the dementia sets in you will have forgotten what you missed anyway.
Best wishes. Gary

yeah and I will be sat next to you having spent all my money first :whistle: